South Carolina
Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places
There are over 400 known hiking and trekking trails in South Carolina
Most popular trails:
Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Trail (78 miles, moderate): This trail winds through forests and mountains in the northwestern part of the state.
Jocassee Gorges State Park (11 miles, moderate): This park has a variety of trails that offer stunning views of the gorges.
Lake Jocassee State Park (10 miles, easy to difficult): This park has a variety of trails that offer opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Francis Marion National Forest (125 miles, easy to difficult): This forest has a variety of trails that offer opportunities for hiking, camping, and fishing.
Congaree National Park (26 miles, easy to difficult): This park is home to the tallest trees east of the Mississippi River.
Table Rock State Park (18 miles, easy to difficult): This park has a variety of trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Best for certain activities:
Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Trail (78 miles, moderate): This trail is great for hiking, camping, and backpacking.
Jocassee Gorges State Park (11 miles, moderate): This park is great for hiking, fishing, and swimming.
Lake Jocassee State Park (10 miles, easy to difficult): This park is great for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Francis Marion National Forest (125 miles, easy to difficult): This forest is great for hiking, camping, and fishing.
Congaree National Park (26 miles, easy to difficult): This park is great for hiking and birdwatching.
Table Rock State Park (18 miles, easy to difficult): This park is great for hiking and rock climbing.
Most challenging trails:
Horseshoe Falls Trail (5.4 miles, difficult): This trail in Table Rock State Park leads to a waterfall with a 40-foot drop.
The Gauntlet (4.4 miles, difficult): This trail in Francis Marion National Forest is a challenging hike through the woods.
Pinnacle Mountain (5.2 miles, difficult): This trail in Caesars Head State Park leads to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina.
Mt. Mitchell (4.8 miles, difficult): This trail in Caesars Head State Park leads to the summit of Mt. Mitchell, the second highest point in South Carolina.
Slaughterhouse Falls Trail (5.4 miles, difficult): This trail in Oconee National Forest leads to a waterfall with a 100-foot drop.
Rainbow Falls Trail (5.4 miles, difficult): This trail in Chattooga National Forest leads to a waterfall with a 100-foot drop.
Most scenic trails:
Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Trail (78 miles, moderate): This trail winds through forests and mountains in the northwestern part of the state, offering stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Jocassee Gorges State Park (11 miles, moderate): This park has a variety of trails that offer stunning views of the gorges, including the Chattooga River Gorge and the Whitewater Falls Gorge.
Lake Jocassee State Park (10 miles, easy to difficult): This park has a variety of trails that offer stunning views of the lake, including the Devil's Fork State Park and the Caesars Head State Park.
Francis Marion National Forest (125 miles, easy to difficult): This forest has a variety of trails that offer opportunities for hiking, camping, and fishing, including the Congaree Swamp National Park and the Santee National Wildlife Refuge.
Congaree National Park (26 miles, easy to difficult): This park is home to the tallest trees east of the Mississippi River, and offers stunning views of the forest.
Table Rock State Park (18 miles, easy to difficult): This park has a variety of trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including the Horseshoe Falls Trail and the Pinnacle Mountain Trail.
Most family-friendly:
Simpsonville Rail Trail (2.7 miles, easy): This paved trail is perfect for a family bike ride or walk.
Chimney Rock State Park - Hickory Nut Falls Trail (1.3 miles, easy): This trail leads to a waterfall with a 40-foot drop.
Congaree National Park - Boardwalk Trail (2.4 miles, easy): This boardwalk trail winds through the forest and offers stunning views of the swamp.
Harbison State Forest - Turkey Creek Falls Trail (1.5 miles, easy): This trail leads to a waterfall with a 20-foot drop.
Charleston Southern University Swamp Rabbit Trail (2.2 miles, easy): This paved trail is perfect for a family bike ride or walk.
Mt. Pleasant - Patriots Point (1.5 miles, easy): This trail offers stunning views of the Charleston Harbor and the Cooper River Bridge.
Most accessible trails:
Congaree National Park - Boardwalk Trail (2.4 miles, easy): This boardwalk trail winds through the forest and offers stunning views of the swamp.
Harbison State Forest - Turkey Creek Falls Trail (1.5 miles, easy): This trail leads to a waterfall with a 20-foot drop and is wheelchair accessible.
Charleston Southern University Swamp Rabbit Trail (2.2 miles, easy): This paved trail is perfect for a family bike ride or walk and is wheelchair accessible.
Simpsonville Rail Trail (2.7 miles, easy): This paved trail is perfect for a family bike ride or walk and is wheelchair accessible.
Chimney Rock State Park - Hickory Nut Falls Trail (1.3 miles, easy): This trail leads to a waterfall with a 40-foot drop and is wheelchair accessible in parts.
Andrew Jackson State Park - Cane Brake Trail (1 mile, easy): This trail is wheelchair accessible and winds through a forest.
Where to get permits for trails:
Permits are not required for most trails in South Carolina. However, some trails in state parks and national forests may require a day-use pass. You can get day-use passes at the park entrance station.
